diff --git a/docs/markdown/Reference-manual.md b/docs/markdown/Reference-manual.md
index 14802ebae..f62372864 100644
--- a/docs/markdown/Reference-manual.md
+++ b/docs/markdown/Reference-manual.md
@@ -1504,6 +1504,10 @@ and subdirectory the target was defined in, respectively.
 - `depends` is a list of targets that this target depends on but which
   are not listed in the command array (because, for example, the
   script does file globbing internally)
+- `env` *(since 0.57.0)*: environment variables to set, such as
+  `{'NAME1': 'value1', 'NAME2': 'value2'}` or `['NAME1=value1', 'NAME2=value2']`,
+  or an [`environment()` object](#environment-object) which allows more
+  sophisticated environment juggling.
 
 ### set_variable()
 
diff --git a/docs/markdown/snippets/customtarget_env.md b/docs/markdown/snippets/customtarget_env.md
index 69bfc0d8d..f2d651b78 100644
--- a/docs/markdown/snippets/customtarget_env.md
+++ b/docs/markdown/snippets/customtarget_env.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-## `custom_target()` now accepts an `env` keyword argument
+## `custom_target()` and `run_target()` now accepts an `env` keyword argument
 
 Environment variables can now be passed to the `custom_target()` command.
 
diff --git a/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py b/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
index badc2d0ab..0ab506183 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ import json
 import os
 import pickle
 import re
-import shlex
 import textwrap
 import typing as T
 import hashlib
@@ -34,7 +33,7 @@ from .. import mlog
 from ..compilers import LANGUAGES_USING_LDFLAGS
 from ..mesonlib import (
     File, MachineChoice, MesonException, OptionType, OrderedSet, OptionOverrideProxy,
-    classify_unity_sources, unholder, OptionKey
+    classify_unity_sources, unholder, OptionKey, join_args
 )
 
 if T.TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -138,6 +137,7 @@ class ExecutableSerialisation:
         self.capture = capture
         self.pickled = False
         self.skip_if_destdir = False
+        self.verbose = False
 
 class TestSerialisation:
     def __init__(self, name: str, project: str, suite: str, fname: T.List[str],
@@ -421,12 +421,14 @@ class Backend:
 
     def as_meson_exe_cmdline(self, tname, exe, cmd_args, workdir=None,
                              extra_bdeps=None, capture=None, force_serialize=False,
-                             env: T.Optional[build.EnvironmentVariables] = None):
+                             env: T.Optional[build.EnvironmentVariables] = None,
+                             verbose: bool = False):
         '''
         Serialize an executable for running with a generator or a custom target
         '''
         cmd = [exe] + cmd_args
         es = self.get_executable_serialisation(cmd, workdir, extra_bdeps, capture, env)
+        es.verbose = verbose
         reasons = []
         if es.extra_paths:
             reasons.append('to set PATH')
@@ -1193,11 +1195,21 @@ class Backend:
         cmd = [i.replace('\\', '/') for i in cmd]
         return inputs, outputs, cmd
 
+    def get_run_target_env(self, target: build.RunTarget) -> build.EnvironmentVariables:
+        env = target.env if target.env else build.EnvironmentVariables()
+        introspect_cmd = join_args(self.environment.get_build_command() + ['introspect'])
+        env.add_var(env.set, 'MESON_SOURCE_ROOT', [self.environment.get_source_dir()], {})
+        env.add_var(env.set, 'MESON_BUILD_ROOT', [self.environment.get_build_dir()], {})
+        env.add_var(env.set, 'MESON_SUBDIR', [target.subdir], {})
+        env.add_var(env.set, 'MESONINTROSPECT', [introspect_cmd], {})
+        return env
+
     def run_postconf_scripts(self) -> None:
         from ..scripts.meson_exe import run_exe
+        introspect_cmd = join_args(self.environment.get_build_command() + ['introspect'])
         env = {'MESON_SOURCE_ROOT': self.environment.get_source_dir(),
                'MESON_BUILD_ROOT': self.environment.get_build_dir(),
-               'MESONINTROSPECT': ' '.join([shlex.quote(x) for x in self.environment.get_build_command() + ['introspect']]),
+               'MESONINTROSPECT': introspect_cmd,
                }
 
         for s in self.build.postconf_scripts:
diff --git a/mesonbuild/backend/ninjabackend.py b/mesonbuild/backend/ninjabackend.py
index 36f1fd213..2bd22bf0f 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/backend/ninjabackend.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/backend/ninjabackend.py
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ from .. import modules
 from .. import environment, mesonlib
 from .. import build
 from .. import mlog
-from .. import dependencies
 from .. import compilers
 from ..arglist import CompilerArgs
 from ..compilers import (
@@ -989,65 +988,28 @@ int dummy;
         return '{}{}'.format(subproject_prefix, target.name)
 
     def generate_run_target(self, target):
-        cmd = self.environment.get_build_command() + ['--internal', 'commandrunner']
-        deps = self.unwrap_dep_list(target)
-        arg_strings = []
-        for i in target.args:
-            if isinstance(i, str):
-                arg_strings.append(i)
-            elif isinstance(i, (build.BuildTarget, build.CustomTarget)):
-                relfname = self.get_target_filename(i)
-                arg_strings.append(os.path.join(self.environment.get_build_dir(), relfname))
-                deps.append(relfname)
-            elif isinstance(i, mesonlib.File):
-                relfname = i.rel_to_builddir(self.build_to_src)
-                arg_strings.append(os.path.join(self.environment.get_build_dir(), relfname))
-            else:
-                raise AssertionError('Unreachable code in generate_run_target: ' + str(i))
-        cmd += [self.environment.get_source_dir(),
-                self.environment.get_build_dir(),
-                target.subdir] + self.environment.get_build_command()
-        texe = target.command
-        try:
-            texe = texe.held_object
-        except AttributeError:
-            pass
-        if isinstance(texe, build.Executable):
-            abs_exe = os.path.join(self.environment.get_build_dir(), self.get_target_filename(texe))
-            deps.append(self.get_target_filename(texe))
-            if self.environment.is_cross_build():
-                exe_wrap = self.environment.get_exe_wrapper()
-                if exe_wrap:
-                    if not exe_wrap.found():
-                        msg = 'The exe_wrapper {!r} defined in the cross file is ' \
-                              'needed by run target {!r}, but was not found. ' \
-                              'Please check the command and/or add it to PATH.'
-                        raise MesonException(msg.format(exe_wrap.name, target.name))
-                    cmd += exe_wrap.get_command()
-            cmd.append(abs_exe)
-        elif isinstance(texe, dependencies.ExternalProgram):
-            cmd += texe.get_command()
-        elif isinstance(texe, build.CustomTarget):
-            deps.append(self.get_target_filename(texe))
-            cmd += [os.path.join(self.environment.get_build_dir(), self.get_target_filename(texe))]
-        elif isinstance(texe, mesonlib.File):
-            cmd.append(texe.absolute_path(self.environment.get_source_dir(), self.environment.get_build_dir()))
+        target_name = self.build_run_target_name(target)
+        if not target.command:
+            # This is an alias target, it has no command, it just depends on
+            # other targets.
+            elem = NinjaBuildElement(self.all_outputs, target_name, 'phony', [])
         else:
-            cmd.append(target.command)
-        cmd += arg_strings
-
-        if texe:
-            target_name = 'meson-{}'.format(self.build_run_target_name(target))
-            elem = NinjaBuildElement(self.all_outputs, target_name, 'CUSTOM_COMMAND', [])
-            elem.add_item('COMMAND', cmd)
-            elem.add_item('description', 'Running external command {}'.format(target.name))
+            target_env = self.get_run_target_env(target)
+            _, _, cmd = self.eval_custom_target_command(target)
+            desc = 'Running external command {}{}'
+            meson_exe_cmd, reason = self.as_meson_exe_cmdline(target_name, cmd[0], cmd[1:],
+                                                              force_serialize=True, env=target_env,
+                                                              verbose=True)
+            cmd_type = ' (wrapped by meson {})'.format(reason)
+            internal_target_name = 'meson-{}'.format(target_name)
+            elem = NinjaBuildElement(self.all_outputs, internal_target_name, 'CUSTOM_COMMAND', [])
+            elem.add_item('COMMAND', meson_exe_cmd)
+            elem.add_item('description', desc.format(target.name, cmd_type))
             elem.add_item('pool', 'console')
             # Alias that runs the target defined above with the name the user specified
-            self.create_target_alias(target_name)
-        else:
-            target_name = self.build_run_target_name(target)
-            elem = NinjaBuildElement(self.all_outputs, target_name, 'phony', [])
-
+            self.create_target_alias(internal_target_name)
+        deps = self.unwrap_dep_list(target)
+        deps += self.get_custom_target_depend_files(target)
         elem.add_dep(deps)
         self.add_build(elem)
         self.processed_targets[target.get_id()] = True
diff --git a/mesonbuild/backend/vs2010backend.py b/mesonbuild/backend/vs2010backend.py
index c47fb4a10..f4e2bd033 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/backend/vs2010backend.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/backend/vs2010backend.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from .. import mlog
 from .. import compilers
 from ..interpreter import Interpreter
 from ..mesonlib import (
-    MesonException, File, python_command, replace_if_different, OptionKey,
+    MesonException, python_command, replace_if_different, OptionKey,
 )
 from ..environment import Environment, build_filename
 
@@ -257,9 +257,8 @@ class Vs2010Backend(backends.Backend):
                 for d in target.get_target_dependencies():
                     all_deps[d.get_id()] = d
             elif isinstance(target, build.RunTarget):
-                for d in [target.command] + target.args:
-                    if isinstance(d, (build.BuildTarget, build.CustomTarget)):
-                        all_deps[d.get_id()] = d
+                for d in target.get_dependencies():
+                    all_deps[d.get_id()] = d
             elif isinstance(target, build.BuildTarget):
                 for ldep in target.link_targets:
                     if isinstance(ldep, build.CustomTargetIndex):
@@ -534,27 +533,14 @@ class Vs2010Backend(backends.Backend):
             # is probably a better way than running a this dummy command.
             cmd_raw = python_command + ['-c', 'exit']
         else:
-            cmd_raw = [target.command] + target.args
-        cmd = python_command + \
-            [os.path.join(self.environment.get_script_dir(), 'commandrunner.py'),
-             self.environment.get_source_dir(),
-             self.environment.get_build_dir(),
-             self.get_target_dir(target)] + self.environment.get_build_command()
-        for i in cmd_raw:
-            if isinstance(i, build.BuildTarget):
-                cmd.append(os.path.join(self.environment.get_build_dir(), self.get_target_filename(i)))
-            elif isinstance(i, dependencies.ExternalProgram):
-                cmd += i.get_command()
-            elif isinstance(i, File):
-                relfname = i.rel_to_builddir(self.build_to_src)
-                cmd.append(os.path.join(self.environment.get_build_dir(), relfname))
-            elif isinstance(i, str):
-                # Escape embedded quotes, because we quote the entire argument below.
-                cmd.append(i.replace('"', '\\"'))
-            else:
-                cmd.append(i)
-        cmd_templ = '''"%s" ''' * len(cmd)
-        self.add_custom_build(root, 'run_target', cmd_templ % tuple(cmd))
+            _, _, cmd_raw = self.eval_custom_target_command(target)
+        depend_files = self.get_custom_target_depend_files(target)
+        target_env = self.get_run_target_env(target)
+        wrapper_cmd, _ = self.as_meson_exe_cmdline(target.name, cmd_raw[0], cmd_raw[1:],
+                                                   force_serialize=True, env=target_env,
+                                                   verbose=True)
+        self.add_custom_build(root, 'run_target', ' '.join(self.quote_arguments(wrapper_cmd)),
+                              deps=depend_files)
         ET.SubElement(root, 'Import', Project=r'$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets')
         self.add_regen_dependency(root)
         self.add_target_deps(root, target)
diff --git a/mesonbuild/build.py b/mesonbuild/build.py
index 36bce1c09..4abc80096 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/build.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/build.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from .mesonlib import (
     File, MesonException, MachineChoice, PerMachine, OrderedSet, listify,
     extract_as_list, typeslistify, stringlistify, classify_unity_sources,
     get_filenames_templates_dict, substitute_values, has_path_sep, unholder,
-    OptionKey,
+    OptionKey
 )
 from .compilers import (
     Compiler, is_object, clink_langs, sort_clink, lang_suffixes,
@@ -2142,8 +2142,35 @@ class SharedModule(SharedLibrary):
     def get_default_install_dir(self, environment):
         return environment.get_shared_module_dir()
 
+class CommandBase:
+    def flatten_command(self, cmd):
+        cmd = unholder(listify(cmd))
+        final_cmd = []
+        for c in cmd:
+            if isinstance(c, str):
+                final_cmd.append(c)
+            elif isinstance(c, File):
+                self.depend_files.append(c)
+                final_cmd.append(c)
+            elif isinstance(c, dependencies.ExternalProgram):
+                if not c.found():
+                    raise InvalidArguments('Tried to use not-found external program in "command"')
+                path = c.get_path()
+                if os.path.isabs(path):
+                    # Can only add a dependency on an external program which we
+                    # know the absolute path of
+                    self.depend_files.append(File.from_absolute_file(path))
+                final_cmd += c.get_command()
+            elif isinstance(c, (BuildTarget, CustomTarget)):
+                self.dependencies.append(c)
+                final_cmd.append(c)
+            elif isinstance(c, list):
+                final_cmd += self.flatten_command(c)
+            else:
+                raise InvalidArguments('Argument {!r} in "command" is invalid'.format(c))
+        return final_cmd
 
-class CustomTarget(Target):
+class CustomTarget(Target, CommandBase):
     known_kwargs = set([
         'input',
         'output',
@@ -2214,33 +2241,6 @@ class CustomTarget(Target):
                 bdeps.update(d.get_transitive_build_target_deps())
         return bdeps
 
-    def flatten_command(self, cmd):
-        cmd = unholder(listify(cmd))
-        final_cmd = []
-        for c in cmd:
-            if isinstance(c, str):
-                final_cmd.append(c)
-            elif isinstance(c, File):
-                self.depend_files.append(c)
-                final_cmd.append(c)
-            elif isinstance(c, dependencies.ExternalProgram):
-                if not c.found():
-                    raise InvalidArguments('Tried to use not-found external program in "command"')
-                path = c.get_path()
-                if os.path.isabs(path):
-                    # Can only add a dependency on an external program which we
-                    # know the absolute path of
-                    self.depend_files.append(File.from_absolute_file(path))
-                final_cmd += c.get_command()
-            elif isinstance(c, (BuildTarget, CustomTarget)):
-                self.dependencies.append(c)
-                final_cmd.append(c)
-            elif isinstance(c, list):
-                final_cmd += self.flatten_command(c)
-            else:
-                raise InvalidArguments('Argument {!r} in "command" is invalid'.format(c))
-        return final_cmd
-
     def process_kwargs(self, kwargs, backend):
         self.process_kwargs_base(kwargs)
         self.sources = unholder(extract_as_list(kwargs, 'input'))
@@ -2422,18 +2422,20 @@ class CustomTarget(Target):
         for i in self.outputs:
             yield CustomTargetIndex(self, i)
 
-class RunTarget(Target):
-    def __init__(self, name, command, args, dependencies, subdir, subproject):
+class RunTarget(Target, CommandBase):
+    def __init__(self, name, command, dependencies, subdir, subproject, env=None):
         self.typename = 'run'
         # These don't produce output artifacts
         super().__init__(name, subdir, subproject, False, MachineChoice.BUILD)
-        self.command = command
-        self.args = args
         self.dependencies = dependencies
+        self.depend_files = []
+        self.command = self.flatten_command(command)
+        self.absolute_paths = False
+        self.env = env
 
     def __repr__(self):
         repr_str = "<{0} {1}: {2}>"
-        return repr_str.format(self.__class__.__name__, self.get_id(), self.command)
+        return repr_str.format(self.__class__.__name__, self.get_id(), self.command[0])
 
     def process_kwargs(self, kwargs):
         return self.process_kwargs_base(kwargs)
@@ -2466,7 +2468,7 @@ class RunTarget(Target):
 
 class AliasTarget(RunTarget):
     def __init__(self, name, dependencies, subdir, subproject):
-        super().__init__(name, '', [], dependencies, subdir, subproject)
+        super().__init__(name, [], dependencies, subdir, subproject)
 
 class Jar(BuildTarget):
     known_kwargs = known_jar_kwargs
diff --git a/mesonbuild/interpreter.py b/mesonbuild/interpreter.py
index c9b6e9a92..cf147c73d 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/interpreter.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/interpreter.py
@@ -2377,7 +2377,7 @@ permitted_kwargs = {'add_global_arguments': {'language', 'native'},
                     'jar': build.known_jar_kwargs,
                     'project': {'version', 'meson_version', 'default_options', 'license', 'subproject_dir'},
                     'run_command': {'check', 'capture', 'env'},
-                    'run_target': {'command', 'depends'},
+                    'run_target': {'command', 'depends', 'env'},
                     'shared_library': build.known_shlib_kwargs,
                     'shared_module': build.known_shmod_kwargs,
                     'static_library': build.known_stlib_kwargs,
@@ -4059,6 +4059,7 @@ This will become a hard error in the future.''' % kwargs['input'], location=self
         self.add_target(name, tg.held_object)
         return tg
 
+    @FeatureNewKwargs('run_target', '0.57.0', ['env'])
     @permittedKwargs(permitted_kwargs['run_target'])
     def func_run_target(self, node, args, kwargs):
         if len(args) > 1:
@@ -4087,8 +4088,8 @@ This will become a hard error in the future.''' % kwargs['input'], location=self
             if not isinstance(d, (build.BuildTarget, build.CustomTarget)):
                 raise InterpreterException('Depends items must be build targets.')
             cleaned_deps.append(d)
-        command, *cmd_args = cleaned_args
-        tg = RunTargetHolder(build.RunTarget(name, command, cmd_args, cleaned_deps, self.subdir, self.subproject), self)
+        env = self.unpack_env_kwarg(kwargs)
+        tg = RunTargetHolder(build.RunTarget(name, cleaned_args, cleaned_deps, self.subdir, self.subproject, env), self)
         self.add_target(name, tg.held_object)
         full_name = (self.subproject, name)
         assert(full_name not in self.build.run_target_names)
diff --git a/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py b/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
index f564eb466..48b80e08a 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
@@ -907,8 +907,8 @@ class GnomeModule(ExtensionModule):
             '--id=' + project_id,
             '--sources=' + source_str,
         ]
-        pottarget = build.RunTarget('help-' + project_id + '-pot', potargs[0],
-                                    potargs[1:], [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
+        pottarget = build.RunTarget('help-' + project_id + '-pot', potargs,
+                                    [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
 
         poargs = state.environment.get_build_command() + [
             '--internal', 'yelphelper', 'update-po',
@@ -917,8 +917,8 @@ class GnomeModule(ExtensionModule):
             '--sources=' + source_str,
             '--langs=' + '@@'.join(langs),
         ]
-        potarget = build.RunTarget('help-' + project_id + '-update-po', poargs[0],
-                                   poargs[1:], [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
+        potarget = build.RunTarget('help-' + project_id + '-update-po', poargs,
+                                   [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
 
         rv = [inscript, pottarget, potarget]
         return ModuleReturnValue(None, rv)
diff --git a/mesonbuild/modules/i18n.py b/mesonbuild/modules/i18n.py
index ae24e6e32..54faf4cde 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/modules/i18n.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/modules/i18n.py
@@ -152,12 +152,12 @@ class I18nModule(ExtensionModule):
             potargs.append(datadirs)
         if extra_args:
             potargs.append(extra_args)
-        pottarget = build.RunTarget(packagename + '-pot', potargs[0], potargs[1:], [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
+        pottarget = build.RunTarget(packagename + '-pot', potargs, [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
 
         gmoargs = state.environment.get_build_command() + ['--internal', 'gettext', 'gen_gmo']
         if lang_arg:
             gmoargs.append(lang_arg)
-        gmotarget = build.RunTarget(packagename + '-gmo', gmoargs[0], gmoargs[1:], [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
+        gmotarget = build.RunTarget(packagename + '-gmo', gmoargs, [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
 
         updatepoargs = state.environment.get_build_command() + ['--internal', 'gettext', 'update_po', pkg_arg]
         if lang_arg:
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ class I18nModule(ExtensionModule):
             updatepoargs.append(datadirs)
         if extra_args:
             updatepoargs.append(extra_args)
-        updatepotarget = build.RunTarget(packagename + '-update-po', updatepoargs[0], updatepoargs[1:], [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
+        updatepotarget = build.RunTarget(packagename + '-update-po', updatepoargs, [], state.subdir, state.subproject)
 
         targets = [pottarget, gmotarget, updatepotarget]
 
diff --git a/mesonbuild/scripts/commandrunner.py b/mesonbuild/scripts/commandrunner.py
deleted file mode 100644
index aeeaa3bcf..000000000
--- a/mesonbuild/scripts/commandrunner.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,84 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2014 The Meson development team
-
-# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-# You may obtain a copy of the License at
-
-#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-
-# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-# limitations under the License.
-
-"""This program is a wrapper to run external commands. It determines
-what to run, sets up the environment and executes the command."""
-
-import sys, os, subprocess, shutil, shlex
-import re
-import typing as T
-
-def run_command(source_dir: str, build_dir: str, subdir: str, meson_command: T.List[str], command: str, arguments: T.List[str]) -> subprocess.Popen:
-    env = {'MESON_SOURCE_ROOT': source_dir,
-           'MESON_BUILD_ROOT': build_dir,
-           'MESON_SUBDIR': subdir,
-           'MESONINTROSPECT': ' '.join([shlex.quote(x) for x in meson_command + ['introspect']]),
-           }
-    cwd = os.path.join(source_dir, subdir)
-    child_env = os.environ.copy()
-    child_env.update(env)
-
-    # Is the command an executable in path?
-    exe = shutil.which(command)
-    if exe is not None:
-        command_array = [exe] + arguments
-    else:# No? Maybe it is a script in the source tree.
-        fullpath = os.path.join(source_dir, subdir, command)
-        command_array = [fullpath] + arguments
-    try:
-        return subprocess.Popen(command_array, env=child_env, cwd=cwd)
-    except FileNotFoundError:
-        print('Could not execute command "%s". File not found.' % command)
-        sys.exit(1)
-    except PermissionError:
-        print('Could not execute command "%s". File not executable.' % command)
-        sys.exit(1)
-    except OSError as err:
-        print('Could not execute command "{}": {}'.format(command, err))
-        sys.exit(1)
-    except subprocess.SubprocessError as err:
-        print('Could not execute command "{}": {}'.format(command, err))
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-def is_python_command(cmdname: str) -> bool:
-    end_py_regex = r'python(3|3\.\d+)?(\.exe)?$'
-    return re.search(end_py_regex, cmdname) is not None
-
-def run(args: T.List[str]) -> int:
-    if len(args) < 4:
-        print('commandrunner.py <source dir> <build dir> <subdir> <command> [arguments]')
-        return 1
-    src_dir = args[0]
-    build_dir = args[1]
-    subdir = args[2]
-    meson_bin = args[3]
-    if is_python_command(meson_bin):
-        meson_command = [meson_bin, args[4]]
-        command = args[5]
-        arguments = args[6:]
-    else:
-        meson_command = [meson_bin]
-        command = args[4]
-        arguments = args[5:]
-    pc = run_command(src_dir, build_dir, subdir, meson_command, command, arguments)
-    while True:
-        try:
-            pc.wait()
-            break
-        except KeyboardInterrupt:
-            pass
-    return pc.returncode
-
-if __name__ == '__main__':
-    sys.exit(run(sys.argv[1:]))
diff --git a/mesonbuild/scripts/meson_exe.py b/mesonbuild/scripts/meson_exe.py
index 620f5792d..27db14423 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/scripts/meson_exe.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/scripts/meson_exe.py
@@ -52,10 +52,13 @@ def run_exe(exe: ExecutableSerialisation, extra_env: T.Optional[dict] = None) ->
                 ['Z:' + p for p in exe.extra_paths] + child_env.get('WINEPATH', '').split(';')
             )
 
+    pipe = subprocess.PIPE
+    if exe.verbose:
+        assert not exe.capture, 'Cannot capture and print to console at the same time'
+        pipe = None
+
     p = subprocess.Popen(cmd_args, env=child_env, cwd=exe.workdir,
-                         close_fds=False,
-                         stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
-                         stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+                         close_fds=False, stdout=pipe, stderr=pipe)
     stdout, stderr = p.communicate()
 
     if p.returncode == 0xc0000135:
@@ -65,6 +68,8 @@ def run_exe(exe: ExecutableSerialisation, extra_env: T.Optional[dict] = None) ->
     if p.returncode != 0:
         if exe.pickled:
             print('while executing {!r}'.format(cmd_args))
+        if exe.verbose:
+            return p.returncode
         if not exe.capture:
             print('--- stdout ---')
             print(stdout.decode())
diff --git a/run_unittests.py b/run_unittests.py
index da137532a..857ce6f2a 100755
--- a/run_unittests.py
+++ b/run_unittests.py
@@ -2192,6 +2192,7 @@ class AllPlatformTests(BasePlatformTests):
         testdir = os.path.join(self.common_test_dir, '52 run target')
         self.init(testdir)
         self.run_target('check_exists')
+        self.run_target('check-env')
 
     def test_install_introspection(self):
         '''
diff --git a/test cases/common/52 run target/check-env.py b/test cases/common/52 run target/check-env.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8df3e28c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test cases/common/52 run target/check-env.py	
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+
+import os
+
+assert 'MESON_SOURCE_ROOT' in os.environ
+assert 'MESON_BUILD_ROOT' in os.environ
+assert 'MESON_SUBDIR' in os.environ
+assert 'MESONINTROSPECT' in os.environ
+assert 'MY_ENV' in os.environ
diff --git a/test cases/common/52 run target/meson.build b/test cases/common/52 run target/meson.build
index 9abe69872..a28d21844 100644
--- a/test cases/common/52 run target/meson.build	
+++ b/test cases/common/52 run target/meson.build	
@@ -72,3 +72,9 @@ run_target('ctags',
 
 run_target('clang-format',
   command : converter)
+
+# Check we can pass env to the program
+run_target('check-env',
+  command: [find_program('check-env.py')],
+  env: {'MY_ENV': '1'},
+)